LAME (64-bit) v3.99.2.5 to rip any CD audio (from VirtualDVD)CDex v1.83 on top of LAME. CDex interfaces to FreeDB to get album information.

Amazon Fire box to make my TV 'smart'Applications:PLEX as the media server (along with Plex Clients on computer, phone, tablet). Doesn't play stored DVD format (.VOB), and stutters/stops when playing .MTS video from my camera.VLC allows DVD play (mostly), while Plex won't play .VOB files. PLEX does a good job with .mpg and .mp4.MediaGuru (allows faster access when looking through thousands of photos, and more efficient when looking at proprietary hi-res videos from my camera)

Next step will be to create a database of all files with MD5 checksum, dupe-checking, and organization capability - the next version of MP3-Boss. Note that it will need to work with 'all' file types, but especially music + photos (with tagging).

I'm sure this isn't the only (or best) possible setup. Please let me know what you think - and how to improve!

Re: Setting up a NAS Server with all of your files...

Can't help you much on NAS/raid setup. I do have a small mycloud that has been running for 3 years now. Works okay, but dependent on internet speeds when I am away from home. Usually they are doggedly slow.

Interested in Fastcopy and downloaded a version to try. I guess you recommend it.

Really interested in your development of new MP3B. I still use it What's your thoughts about Winamp out of production. Is it a factor for MP3B?

Re: Setting up a NAS Server with all of your files...

I like FastCopy because it gets around temporary problems. You can just restart with the same parameters when there are problems (like wireless network going down).

PLEX as a media server is interesting - but I've found it very inconsistent. One day it works great, the next it won't play any files. I think it probably can't handle all the files I have. Have you found a better media server?NEW Comment: Works much better now (late 2017, early 2018) - they keep upgrading, adding new features and fixing bugs. I generally really like it now. Still crashes sometimes, but usually very easy to recover.A few really nice features:Play your music while showing your photos (just start your music first). Really nice.Surprising good music matching - will often match songs that Picard can't match. Only disadvantage is it doesn't write to ID3/ID3v2 - only to to its own database. Also, it is sometimes frustrating to make it match (especially in regards to album covers).News feature (added mid/late 2017) is really nice feature (although not related to music!).

There are so many media players, I'm less worried about Winamp. At the same time, I'd like to continue with automation. I'd like to control playlists (including start/stop play time per song), get song info (including lyrics), and show album covers. Some of that is probably best handled by all of the media players already out there (like Musixmatch for lyrics). Suggestions?

Backup:I use iDrive (to 2TB), and am trying Crashplan (unlimited storage). Both cost about $100/year. iDrive is fast & consistent. Crashplan is slow & seems to crash ... but perhaps will work if you have mostly static data (after initial backup). Crashplan tells me the initial 6TB backup will require 60 days. Since it loses connection & crashes - will probably require at least twice that...I also use Amazon Prime for all photos (unlimited storage at original resolution).